Archive By Section - Pro Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - So much for the notion that the St. Petersburg Bowl is just another lower-tier postseason matchup featuring teams with mediocre records and little to accomplish, even by winning.

OAKLAND (AP) - As shootaround wrapped up one morning last weekend, once Stephen Curry had concluded his methodical session flicking jumpers from every spot on the same practice court he always uses, Kevin Durant took a pass from the MVP's main rebounding man, Bruce Fraser, and let fly an extra-long 3-pointer from the right wing.

OAKLAND (AP) - The path for the Oakland Raiders is simple after they clinched their first playoff berth in 14 years. Win the final two games of the season starting with Indianapolis on Saturday and the Raiders will be AFC West champions and get a first-round bye.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - After San Francisco steamrolled the Rams 28-0 in coach Chip Kelly's debut three months ago, the 49ers could have never imagined they wouldn't win again before the late-season rematch.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) - The Golden State Warriors gave the Detroit Pistons a shot at an upset, turning the ball over more than they had in any game this season. They made up for mistakes by making a lot of shots.

We watch sports to see who wins and loses, but also to be inspired - and 2016 offered plenty of examples of the latter, from a touching moment between two strangers on the Olympic track, to a little boy from a war-torn land who met his favorite soccer player, to a warm ovation fueled by empathy for a visiting NHL goalie.